Buddha Speaks Yoga Mahāyāna Sutra (佛說瑜伽大教王經)

Chapter 9: Homa

At that time, the World-Honored One, the Great All-Illuminating Vajra Thus-Come-One, entered the Vajra Samadhi that corresponds to all methods of accomplishment and ritual practice. Emerging from that Concentration, He spoke the method for entering the Waking Practice of Accomplishment:

"At that time, the practitioner first visualizes the syllable 'Om' at the crown of the head, the syllable 'Ah' in the mouth, and the syllable 'Hum' in the heart. Then visualize the syllable 'Va' transforming into a wheel of wind. Upon this wheel sits one who has entered the waking state, able to speak of all worldly matters. The practitioner adopts a proud and elevated posture. Then visualize the Bodhisattva Cunda, and recite the true mantra of Bodhisattva Cunda:"

Homage to the One of Three Perfect Enlightenments. (1-2)

Thus it is said: (3)

Om, Cale, Cule, Cunde Svaha! (4-6)

O Great Majestic One! (7)

You who have attained the peerless, immeasurable perfection of giving, (8)

O Great Garland Bearer, the annihilator of all obstacles, (9-10)

You whose form is adorned with countless benevolent markings, (11)

O Great, Mighty Mother of Victory! (12)

O Fierce One, terrifying to behold, (13)

Your love is boundless. (14)

For a hundred thousand years, (15)

Undisturbed, (16)

Everlasting, (17)

O Lady of Grace, (18)

Your countenance has no equal. (19)

When the power of a thousand compassionate eyes (20) is established by the grace of all the Thus-Gone Ones, (21)

By the host of all gods, (22)

The virtue of your mercy is perfected, (23)

You are the supreme guide on the path. (24)

O Vajra Lady with splendid hair, (25)

O Vajra Bearer, O Vajra Victory, (26)

O Vajra Purifier, (27)

O Vajra Source, (28)

You who are crowned with a vajra tiara, (29)

Your sight is sharp; (30) you are of infinite grace. (31)

Your multitudes of dancing forms are all delightful, (32)

And your various pleasing manners are wonderful. (33)

Your limbs and body are perfected in the adamantine dance, (34)

Om Bhagavati, O Cunde! (35)

Drum-drum, drum-drum, (36)

Urge them, urge them, (37)

Melt them, melt them, (38)

Seal them, seal them, (39)

Control them, control them. (40)

Grasp them, grasp them! (41)

Empower them, bring them into your sphere! (42)

Help them attain freedom, help them attain freedom, (43)

Guide them, guide them. (44)

Take joy in them, take joy in them, (45)

Move them, move them, (46)

Destroy their defilements, destroy their defilements, (47)

Smash them, smash them, (48)

Burn them, burn them, (49)

Overpower them, overpower them, (50)

Overcome them, overcome them, (51)

Tie them, tie them, (52)

Shatter them, shatter them. (53)

Grasp them, grasp them. (54)

All these evildoers, (55) whether one-faced (56)

Or two-faced, (57) three-faced, (58)

Four-faced, (59) or multi-faced, (60)

Whether born as roaring demons, (61)

Plague-bearing ghosts, (62)

Or ogres, goblins or vampires, (63)

Flesh-eating demons, (64)

Ghosts of the hungry realm, (65)

Spirits born of karmic action, (66)

Powerfully arrogant beings, (67)

Hostile beings, (68) — whatever negative influences or evil karmas defile the mind, (69)

I will purify them all. (70)

Lead them to accomplishment, lead them to truth (71).

Crush them, utterly crush them (72).

Dry them up, desiccate them (73).

Burn them, incinerate them (74).

Blast them, completely blast them away! (75)

Vajra Bearer, destroy them, destroy them! (76)

Joyful Mother, liberate them all, liberate the great enemy! (77)

Slay them, slay whoever opposes you! (78)

Hung-hung-hung (79) melts all, all ego-clinging melts away! (80)

Self-existent, (81)

Om, Cale, Cule, Cunde, (82)

Perfect all beings! Svaha! (83)

Then, when the Master recites this mantra, he takes up the Vajra pestle and rings the Vajra bell, forming the "Vajra-Bound" mudra, and moves his hands with this seal. Next, he visualizes the syllable 'Om' transforming into a Mahāmaṇḍala (great mandala). He further visualizes an eight-petaled lotus within the mandala, with one 'A' syllable on each petal, and four 'Hūm' syllables at the lotus center. He covers this with two ritual vessels and, within the mandala, visualizes it as the deity subduing that person. He then recites the mantra of that deity and visualizes the syllable 'Va' forming a protective boundary. By meditating and reciting in this way, he can bind and restrain all beings, even gods and humans.

Next, I will explain the method of the Homa ritual (fire offering). The fire deity encompasses all gods and constantly abides in the true principles of the Homa rite, skillfully performing a variety of tasks. This Homa can make offerings to all gods and accomplish all forms of spiritual achievement. If a practitioner's recitation is missing passages or the ritual procedures are incomplete, performing this Homa will bring everything to completion. Therefore, the Buddhas of the three times and the Bodhisattvas of the ten directions all praise the Homa practice.

For Homa aimed at pacifying misfortune, increasing merit, or attracting love and respect, fire should be generated by rubbing wood. For Homa intended for subjugation, use fire from a outcast's home or a cremation ground.

There are four types of Homa hearths: first, round like the full moon; second, like a half-moon; third, square; fourth, triangular. Each of these four hearths has its corresponding Homa seal methods. Within the hearth, place seals representing wheels, vajras, jewels, or lotuses. Outside the hearth, set up banners and markings according to the teachings. To the right of the hearth, place the offering ladle (*bhandīrya*) and all necessary items, and surround the area with auspicious grass. To the left of the hearth, place a bowl of pure water (*añjalikā*), recite the mantra for accomplishing all things to bless the water, and purify your own hands. Then, according to the ritual, light the firewood and invite the fire deity by reciting the following invitation mantra:

Om! Iki, ehi, mahā bhūta nairvaśya. Dijā saṃtama, gṛhīta, hūta, mahā ṇaṃ. Asmi, saṃni, hūto bhavā. Om, agnaye. Ne-ne, avī avī. Mahā śrīye. Ahi, gahi, vāhana. Svāhā!

One who recites this mantra should join their palms together, and gently move the right thumb. Then, using pure water (arghya), lightly sprinkle and purify the fire with the left hand, and silently perform the five offerings. Visualize the Fire God (Agni) descending in the southeast corner—short in stature, with a large belly, a completely red body, four arms and four faces, each face having three eyes. He wears a precious crown, with loose hair flowing down, seated on a wheel of fire, his entire body radiating the light of enlightened activity (karma). His first right hand makes the gesture of giving (varada mudra), and the second right hand holds a rosary; his first left hand holds a water pot (kundika), and the second left hand holds a staff. His body is adorned with various treasures, surrounded by a retinue of heavenly beings. Having visualized this, invite the Fire God to enter the fire pit (homa kunda).

Then, the master (acharya) should throw the offering materials into the fire three times while making the offering. After purifying the hands with pure water and presenting offerings, dedicate the merit and thank the Fire God. Then, declare the desired accomplishment, and observe the auspicious or inauspicious signs of the fire's flames. If the flame is white, or forms the shape of an umbrella, a victory banner, or a water vessel turning to the right—these are all good signs indicating success in the practice. Upon seeing these good signs, the master should chant a beautiful song of praise. This chant should begin with the syllable “Om” and end with “Svaha,” with the Sanskrit sounds flowing continuously and melodically. Then the practice will certainly succeed.

When performing a pacifying ritual, cultivate a compassionate mind. When performing a enriching ritual, cultivate a steadfast and unwavering mind. When performing a magnetizing ritual, cultivate a loving and respectful mind. When performing a wrathful subduing ritual, assume a fierce, wrathful expression with the intention to triumph over the three realms. Thus, the master should follow the corresponding method, recite the correct and complete mantra of his or her own root lineage, and offer a vast variety of extensive offerings, fully understanding all aspects of the fire ritual (homa).

If performing the fire ritual, first offer ghee with the phrase "Phat svaha," then proceed according to the appropriate sequence. For the three types of rituals (pacifying, enriching, and magnetizing), use good and pure materials for the fire offering. For the subduing ritual, use fierce and impure materials for the fire offering. Such is the secret practice of yoga—opening the door of visualization to enter the true ultimate reality, the essential path for benefiting and delighting all beings.

Then, the Buddha spoke these verses: